More than 40 illegal firearms were taken off the streets of Essex in December.

East Anglian Daily Times: The weapons, some imitation and some real, were handed in during Essex Police's gun surrender in December 2018 Picture: SIMON PARKERThe weapons, some imitation and some real, were handed in during Essex Police's gun surrender in December 2018 Picture: SIMON PARKER (Image: Archant)

Essex Police’s gun amnesty ran from December 3 to December 14, allowing anyone in possession of an unlicensed firearm to hand it into police to be destroyed without repercussions.

Of the 41 firearms handed in during the surrender, 13 were real guns and 28 were imitations, air weapons and airsoft weapons.

Detective Chief Superintendent Stuart Hooper, from the Kent and Essex Serious Crime Directorate, said: “Firearms can be used to ruin lives and destroy communities.

“Ensuring just one gun can’t get into the hands of criminals makes Essex safer so to have 41 handed in is really good news.

“That’s 41 fewer firearms which could potentially find their way into the hands of criminals and be used to rob, injure, threaten or even kill someone.

“Our work to take guns off the streets of Essex and prevent them getting there in the first place doesn’t stop though and I’d urge anyone with information about someone using or possessing guns illegally to contact us.”

Anyone handing in an item did not face prosecution for possessing it illegally - but if caught elsewhere with the weapon, an offender could receive a custodial sentence.

The results of the surrender come as around 800 firearms were seized during a warrant in Coggeshall on Tuesday, December 11.

A 67-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of firearms offences and has been released on bail until January 8.

If you have any information about someone using or possessing a gun illegally, call police on 101.